Apple Silicon Technical Guide · M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5

Apple Silicon M1 to M5: APL codes, technical identifiers and compatible Mac models

Since the arrival of the first Apple Silicon M1, Apple uses a family of proprietary chips that integrate CPU, GPU, unified memory, Neural Engine and internal controllers into a single SoC.

In Apple electronics repair, knowing the exact chip, the technical identifier and the device model helps to better focus the diagnosis, locate schematics, interpret power rails and avoid mistakes when ordering components.

Before using this table: important technical notice

Apple does not always officially publish every internal code for its chips. Therefore, in this guide we distinguish between data widely accepted in technical documentation, data confirmed by Apple commercially, and data that should not yet be treated as definitive.

Codes such as APL and identifiers like T8103, T8112 or T6032 are useful in advanced diagnostics, but must always be cross-checked with the exact Mac model, the year, the logic board, the serial number and the actual symptoms of the machine.

APL code

Internal reference associated with the processor or SoC. Example: APL1102 for base M1.

Technical ID

Identifier used in technical documentation and hardware analysis. Example: T8103.

Device model

Mac A-number where the chip is typically found. Example: A2337, A2442 or A2615.

Revised technical table

Apple Silicon M1 family

Processor APL code Technical ID Common devices
M1 APL1102 T8103 MacBook Air A2337, MacBook Pro A2338, Mac mini A2348, iMac A2438
M1 Pro APL1103 T6000 MacBook Pro 14" A2442, MacBook Pro 16" A2485
M1 Max APL1105 T6001 MacBook Pro 14" A2442, MacBook Pro 16" A2485, Mac Studio A2615
M1 Ultra APL1106 T6002 Mac Studio A2615

Apple Silicon M2 family

Processor APL code Technical ID Common devices
M2 APL1109 T8112 MacBook Air A2681, MacBook Pro A2338, Mac mini A2686
M2 Pro Not publicly confirmed T6020 MacBook Pro 14" A2779, MacBook Pro 16" A2780, Mac mini A2816
M2 Max APL1111 T6021 MacBook Pro 14" A2779, MacBook Pro 16" A2780, Mac Studio A2901
M2 Ultra APL1W12 T6022 Mac Studio A2901, Mac Pro A2786

Apple Silicon M3 family

Processor APL code Technical ID Common devices
M3 APL1201 T8122 MacBook Air 13" A3113, MacBook Air 15" A3114, MacBook Pro 14" A2918, iMac A2873
M3 Pro APL1203 T6030 MacBook Pro 14" A2992, MacBook Pro 16" A2993
M3 Max APL1204 T6031 / T6034 MacBook Pro 14" A2991, MacBook Pro 16" A2994
M3 Ultra Not publicly confirmed T6032 Mac Studio 2025

Apple Silicon M4 family

Processor APL code Technical ID Common devices
M4 APL1206 T8132 iPad Pro M4, MacBook Pro 14" A3112, iMac A3247, Mac mini A3238
M4 Pro Not publicly confirmed T6040 MacBook Pro 14" A3185, MacBook Pro 16" A3186, Mac mini A3238
M4 Max Not publicly confirmed T6041 MacBook Pro 14" A3401, MacBook Pro 16" A3403, Mac Studio 2025
M4 Ultra Not commercially released Not confirmed Apple did not ship the Mac Studio 2025 with an M4 Ultra; the range used M4 Max and M3 Ultra

Apple Silicon M5 family

Processor APL code Technical ID Common devices
M5 Not publicly confirmed T8142 MacBook Air 13", MacBook Air 15", MacBook Pro 14" with M5
M5 Pro Not publicly confirmed Not publicly established MacBook Pro 14" and MacBook Pro 16" with M5 Pro
M5 Max Not publicly confirmed Not publicly established MacBook Pro 14" and MacBook Pro 16" with M5 Max
M5 Ultra Not officially announced Not confirmed Should not be treated as a marketed chip until Apple officially announces it

Common mistakes when identifying Apple Silicon chips

When repairing Apple Silicon logic boards, one of the most common mistakes is accepting an internal code without cross-checking it against the exact machine model. Some data circulates in technical databases, forums or community lists, but not all has the same level of confirmation.

M2 Ultra

Should not be listed as APL1112. The most accepted technical reference for M2 Ultra is APL1W12 / T6022.

M3 Pro and M3 Max

M3 Pro should not be shown as APL1202. To avoid mistakes, it's safer to work with M3 Pro: APL1203 / T6030 and M3 Max: APL1204 / T6031-T6034.

M3 Ultra

It does exist commercially. Apple introduced it in the Mac Studio 2025 alongside the M4 Max, so it should not be listed as "not commercially released".

M4 Ultra

Should not be published as a commercially released chip. Apple presented the Mac Studio 2025 with M4 Max and M3 Ultra, not with an M4 Ultra.

How to use this guide in a real repair

1. Identify the Mac

Check the A model number, the device year and the serial number before assuming which chip it has.

2. Confirm the logic board

For logic board repairs, the commercial model is not always enough. It's advisable to confirm the board reference and the exact configuration.

3. Cross-check symptoms

A fault in power, charging, display, memory or storage can vary significantly depending on the generation and architecture of the SoC.

Why this data matters on Apple Silicon machines

On Macs with Apple Silicon, much of the machine's operation depends on the SoC: power management, unified memory, GPU, Neural Engine, internal controllers and communication buses. Therefore, correctly identifying the chip generation helps avoid incorrect diagnoses.

It's not the same to diagnose a MacBook Air M1 A2337 that won't power on, a MacBook Pro M1 Pro A2442 with a display fault, a Mac Studio M2 Ultra A2901 or a MacBook Pro M4 Max A3403. Each generation has different architecture, power consumption, thermal management and electrical behaviour.

M1 / M2

  • Power-on failures.
  • USB-C charging issues.
  • Devices with no video output.
  • Liquid damage to the logic board.
  • Main power issues.

M1 Pro / M1 Max

  • 14" or 16" MacBook Pro that fails to boot.
  • Backlight or display failures.
  • Problems on power rails.
  • Failures due to overheating or liquid.
  • Advanced board diagnostics.

M2 Pro / M2 Max / M2 Ultra

  • Failures in Mac mini, MacBook Pro or Mac Studio.
  • Boot issues.
  • Power errors.
  • Unstable behaviour.
  • Technical inspection with bench instrumentation.

M3 / M4 / M5

  • Recent devices with charging or power-on faults.
  • Screen or display problems.
  • Liquid damage.
  • Diagnostics of highly integrated boards.
  • Precise identification before assessing repair.

Technical sources consulted

To keep this guide as accurate as possible, official Apple sources were cross-referenced with technical databases specialised in Apple Silicon internal identifiers.

Apple Silicon technical diagnosis

Is your Mac with an M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5 chip not powering on or failing?

If you have a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio or Mac Pro with Apple Silicon and need to correctly identify the machine before repairing it, we can help review the model, the chip and the actual symptoms of the fault.

Send us a photo of the model, the serial number or the logic board if the device is already open. That way we can guide you better before assessing the repair.

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